Fluid-operated timing device



July 25, 1967 P. D. MIZE FLUID-OPERATED TIMING DEVICE 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 12, 1964 INVENTOR. PAUL D. MIZ E ATTORNEYS July 25, 1967 P. D. MIZE 3,332,443

FLUID-OPERATED TIMING DEVICE Filed Oct. 12, 1964 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. PAUL D. MIZE ATTORNEYS July 25, 1967 Filed Oct. 12, 1964 P. D. MIZE I 3,332,443

FLUID-OPERATED TIMING DEVICE '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. PAUL D. MIZE M m N I ATTORNEYS FLUID-OPERATED TIMING DEVICE Filed Oct. 12, 1964 '7 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. PAUL D. MIZE FIG.9.

ATTORNEYS July 25, 1%67 P. D. MIZE 3,332,443

FLUID-OPERATED TIMING DEVICE Filed Oct. 12. 1964 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. PAUL D. MIZE FIG.

I ATTORNEYS July 25, 1967 P. D. MIZE 3,

FLUID-OPERATED TIMING DEVICE Filed Oct 12, 19 64 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 INVENTOR. PAUL D. MIZE ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,332,443 FLUID-OPERATED TIMING DEVICE Paul D. Mize, Herrin, 1]].

(903 E. St. Louis St., West Frankfort, Ill. 62896) Filed Oct. 12, 1964, Ser. No. 403,500 20 Claims. (Cl. 137-624.14)

The invention relates to timing devices for supplying air or other fluid to fluid-actuated mechanisms, and particularly to timing devices using metered air or other fluid to control the timing.

The invention consists in a device having a series of ports communicating with the fluid-actuated mechanism, separate means associated with each port for supplying fluid to the ports in sequence, adjustable means associated with each fluid supply means for individually controlling the time intervals in the sequence of supplying fluid to each of the ports, and means for selectively stopping, in sequence, the supply of fluid to the ports. More specifically the invention comprises a device having a plurality of pressure sensitive valves, a plurality of ports and a plurality of individually adjustable metering devices, the valves being adapted to supply air or other fluid in sequence to the ports and the metering devices being adapted to control the timing of the fluid pressure sensitive valves for supplying fluid under pressure to the ports and thence to a device powered by air or other fluid under pressure.

Most machines powered by air or other fluids have a sequence of movements provided by cylinders actuated by air or other fluid under either superor sub-atmospheric pressure. In such machines the movements must usually be in succession, with a time interval between each movement and the next, and the time intervals must be accurately adjustable individually for efficient operation and to compensate for varying conditions under which the machine may operate, including the sizes, shapes, and physical properties of the materials which may be fabricated by the machine.

It is a main object of the present invention to provide means for supplying fluid to a plurality of air cylinders in such a way that during an operating cycle cylinders are actuated in sequence or in multiple, including means for controlling the time at which each cylinder is actuated in each direction and manually adjustable means for individually controlling the time at which one cylinder is actuated relative to the actuation of the cylinder immediately prior in said sequence.

It is a further object to provide means for stopping the supply of fluid to the cylinders at any time during a cycle.

It is an additional object to provide means for effecting automatic repetition of the cycle.

The apparatus for controlling each cycle includes a succession of pressure sensitive normally closed three-way pilot-operated fluid valves, means for supplying pilot fluid to open the first three-way valve which supplies fluid to a port and to a manually adjustable metering device which adjustably controls the time required for suflicient pilot fluid to pass it to open the second three-way valve. The second three-way valve, in turn, supplies fluid to a port and to a second metering device for controlling the time at which the third three-way valve opens to supply fluid as previously noted. The second three-way valve also supplies fluid to a means for closing the first three-way valve, thereby stopping the flow of fluid to the first-mentioned port and for exhausting fluid from the second port. Successive three-way valves are each controlled in like manner by successive preceding metering devices, and in like manner supply fluid to their outlet ports, to the following metering devices and to the means for closing the preced- 3,332,443 Patented July 25, 1967 ing three-way valves and opening the preceding exhaust valves.

Fluid from the ports controlled as described above is transmitted to, and actuates pressure responsive valve devices which admit fluid to and exhaust fluid from the cylinders in accordance with the sequence determined as above.

In the second embodiment of the invention, means is embodied for selectively stopping the cycle at any time.

In the third embodiment, the last three-way valve supplies fluid to the metering device which controls the first three-way valve, which supplies fluid to means for closing the last three-way valve, thereby providing for automatic repetition of the cycle.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 2-4 are vertical sectional views of the invention taken respectively along lines 2-2, 33 and 44 of FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view along line 4A-4A of FIG. 7.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view along line 55 of FIG. 7.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are horizontal sectional views along lines 66 and 7-7 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a modified form of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a composite fragmentary vertical sectional v1ew of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a second modified form of the invention.

Means for supplying pilot fluid to open the first threeway pilot-operated fluid valve The timing device is housed in a metallic block B. At its left end, as seen in FIGS. 2, 7 and 8, is the means referred to above for supplying fluid to the first three-way pilot-operated air valve, a single pair of aligned cylindrical chambers 8a and 9a, connected to each other by a coaxial passagewaySb. Slidably mounted in chambers 8a and 9a respectively are pistons 3 and 9 which are rigidly connected to each other for simultaneous operation by rod 9b. Operation of pistons 8 and 9 is effected by a lever 7 tulcrumed at 7a on the valve body and connected by rod 7b to piston 8. Chamber 9a is connected, below piston 9, by duct 6 to a source F of compressed fluid, such as air, and piston 9 is normally seated, through an O-ring 90, against the opposite end of chamber 9a so as to prevent communication between air source 6 and passageway 812, while piston 8 is normally positioned with its O-ring 8c spaced from the end of chamber 8a with which passageway 81) connects, so as to provide communication between passageway 8b and exhaust port 10 which connects with the same end of chamber 8a.

By means of a duct 11, passageway 812 communicates with a cylindrical chamber 12a (best seen in FIG. 3) in which is slidably mounted an undersize piston 12, with an O-ring 12b in its face normally seated against the end wall of chamber 12a which communicates with duct 11, so as to close communication therethrough. The side of chamber 12a is connected by duct 13 to cylindrical chamber 14a above piston 14 which is slidably mounted therein, and chamber 14a is similarly connected by a duct 15 to chamber 16a in which is slidably mounted a piston 16 with its O-ring seal 16b normally seated in sealing engagement with the outlet end of chamber 16b, and seating the outlet thereon. Like chamber 8a, chamber 14a is connected, at its lower end, by means of axial passageway 14b with the upper end of an aligned aperture 17a, in which is slidably mounted piston 17 which forms the closure of the first three-way pilot-operated air valve,

pistons 14 and 17 being similar to pistons 8 and 9 and being similarly connected rigidly by rod 17b so as to move in unison. Normally the pressure of fluid entering the bottom of chamber 17a through duct 5 from the compressed fluid source maintains piston 17 with its O-ring 17c seated against the top of chamber \17a so as to prevent the passage of fluid from duct 5 into passageway 14b, and the O-ring 14c of piston 14 is spaced from its seat against the lower end of chamber 14a so as to provide communication between passageway 14b and exhaust port 18, which connects with the side of chamber 14a below piston 14.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that pressure on lever 7 will cause pistons 8 and 9 to move downwardly closing communication between passageway 8b and exhaust port 13 and opening communication between fluid pressure inlet duct 6 and passageway 8b, and therethrough to duct 11. Fluid pressure thus admitted to duct 11 raises piston 12 oif its seat, and passes valve 12, into duct 13.

The first three-way pilot-operated fluid vlalve From duct 13, the fluid passes into chamber 14a and its pressure builds up above piston 14 since its further movement is blocked by piston 16, and when its pressure exceeds the pressure in fluid inlet duct 5 below piston 17, the pressure differential forces valve 14 downward with a snap action, seating its O-ring on the bottom wall of chamber 14a, thus closing oif communication between passageway 14b and exhaust port 18, and forcing valve 17 to open position.

For biasing pistons 9, 12, 16 and 17, and corresponding pistons referred to hereinafter, toward their normal seated positions, springs S may be provided.

F ilist metering device Passageway 141) communicates via duct 19 with needle valve bore 20a, which in turn communicates by means of duct 21 with the left hand end of piston 22 in valve 23, thereby providing communication between main fluid supply S and duct 24 leading from valve 23 to the right hand end of cylinder 26, so as to move piston 25 therein to the left, the right hand end of cylinder 26 having been vented to the atmosphere by duct 59 and valve piston 22. The first metering device comprises needle valve bore 20a which is formed at one end with a restricted outlet orifice 201;, the area of which is adjusta-bly controlled by needle valve 20, threadably received in the bore and formed with a tool receiving slot 20c for manual adjustment. Orifice 20b comlmunicates with bore 20d which in turn opens into the bottom of chamber 27a in which is slidably received an undersize piston 27 the O-ring seal 27b of which is normally biased into sealing engagement with the bottom of aperture 27a so that fluid passing from duct 5, past piston 17, and through needle valve orifice 20b will unseat valve 27. The rate at which fluid passes through orifice 20b is, of course, directly proportional to the needle valve setting, so that the timing of the unseating of piston 27 and actions resulting therefrom can be varied by varying the needle valve setting.

Second three-way pilot-operated fluid valve Chamber 27 is connected by duct 28 to chamber 29a above valve 29, which in turn is connected by duct 30 with chamber 31a, the outlet 31b of which is sealed by O-ring 31c of piston 31. The fluid thus passes from chamber 27a, through duct 28 into chamber 211a and through duct 30 into chamber 31a, where it is blocked by piston 31 so that pressure builds up behind piston 29. Chamber 29a is connected by a coaxial passage 29!; to chamber 32a in which is slidably mounted a piston 32 (similar to pistons 9 and 17 and forming the closure member of the second three-way pilot-operated fluid valve) which is normally seated, by air pressure behind it from fluid source S through duct 4, against the upper end of its chamber 32a. Pistons 29 and 32 are rigidly connected to each other by a rod 32b extending through passageway 29b, so that when the pressure above piston 29 exceeds that below piston 32, the differential pressure causes pistons 29 and 32 to move downwardly, seating O-ring 290 of piston 29 on the bottom of its chamber and thus closing communication between passageway 29!) and exhaust passageway 33 and opening communication between fluid inlet 34 and passageway 2%.

Means for closing the first three-way pilot-operated fluid valve Passageway 29b communicates via a duct 39 with chamber 35a (FIG. 3) below piston 35 therein, piston 35 being connected by rod 35b through communicating coaxial passageway with piston 16, so that fluid pressure from passage 34, acting on piston 35, moves piston r16 ofl its seat, thereby venting chamber 14a to the atmosphere via exhaust port 36. When this occurs, superatmospheric pressure from inlet duct 5, behind piston 17 moves pistons 17 and 14 upwardly, closing communication between fluid inlet 5 and passageway 14b and opening communication between passageway 14b and exhaust port 18, thereby venting the left end of piston 22 of valve 23 to atmosphere through ducts 21, needle valve bore 20a, duct 19 and passageway 14b.

By reference to FIG. I, it will be evident that ducts 37 and 55, needle valves 38 and 56, pistons 45 and 60, ducts 46 and 61, pistons 47 and 62, passageways 47b and 62b, exhaust ports 51 and 68, ducts 52 and 69, pistons 70 and 82, chambers 70a and 82a, ducts 48 and 63, and pistons 49 and 64, are substantially identical, respectively, to duct 19, needle valve 20, piston 27, duct 28, piston 29, exhaust port 33, duct 34, piston 35, duct 30, and piston 31 as shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Compressed fluid from passageway 29b passes through duct 37 to the bore of needle valve 38, around the latter and, via duct 39, to the left hand end of piston 40 in valve 41, thus moving piston 40 to the right and providing communication from main fluid pressure source F, through duct 42 to the right hand side of piston 43 in cylinder 44, and at the same time venting the left hand end of cylinder 44 to atmosphere, through duct 74.

Meanwhile fluid passing through needle valve 38 unseats piston 45, and passes thereby and through duct 46, against piston 47. As soon as pressure above piston 47 exceeds pressure from fluid inlet duct 3, below piston 50, pistons 47 and 50 will be moved downwardly, closing ,exhaust port 51 and providing communication between fluid inlet duct 3 and ducts 52 and 55. The rapidity with which this action takes place is a function of the setting of needle valve 38; with a large opening, the required pressure behind piston 47 will build up much more rapidly than with a small opening. Fluid will then pass from inlet 3, through duct 55, around needle valve 56 and through duct 57 to the right hand end of piston 22 in valve 23, causing piston 22 to move to the left, unopposed by fluid pressure on its left end, which has been vented to atmosphere, as previously described, through duct 21, around needle valve 20, and through duct 19, and exhaust port 18.

Simultaneously, fluid passes from inlet 3, through duct 52 to the rear of piston 53, thus unseating piston 31 and providing communication between duct 30 and exhaust port 54 and thereby relieving pressure above piston 29,

so that pressure below piston 32 and fluid inlet duct 4 will cause upward movement of pistons 29 and 32 to close communication between inlet 4 and passage 37, and to vent the left hand end of piston 40 in valve 41 to atmosphere via ducts 39 and 37 and exhaust port 33.

Fluid will also pass through needle valve 56, unseating piston 60, then through duct 61 to the top of piston 62. As soon as pressure above piston 62 exceeds pressure in inlet 2, behind piston 67, pistons 62 and 67 will move downwardly, closing exhaust port 68, and providing communication between fluid inlet 2 and ducts 69 and 72. The pressure through duct 69, acting on piston 70, unseats piston 49 and vents duct 48 to atmosphere via exhaust port 71. Relief of pressure above piston 47 permits pressure in inlet duct 3 behind piston 50 to open exhaust port 51, thus venting the right hand end of piston 22 to atmosphere via ducts 57 and 55, and exhaust port 51. Pressure behind piston 53 is also relieved permitting piston 31 to return unopposed to its normal seated position.

Fluid from inlet duct 2 also passes into duct 72. Duct 72 (FIG. 6) is connected by means of duct 75 with chamber 76a above piston 76 therein. Chamber 76a is connected by a coaxial passageway 76b with chamber 79a in which piston 79 is slidably mounted and normally seated against the end of chamber 79a communicating therewith. Pistons 76 and 79 are rigidly connected to each other by rod 79b so that piston 79 is normally seated and piston 76 is normally unseated. For admitting fluid to chamber 79a, it is connected to main fluid source F by inlet duct 1. Duct 75 is connected via chamber 76a and duct 77 to chamber 66a below piston 66 therein and chamber 66a above piston 66 communicates, by means of duct 65, with chamber 64a and through piston 64 therein with duct 63. Piston 66 is normally seated in chamber 66a to seal ofl restricted exhaust orifice 78 in the lower end of chamber 66 from communication with duct 77. Via duct 72, the fluid passes to the right side of piston 40 in valve 41, moving piston 40 to the left to admit fluid from the main fluid supply, via duct 74, to the left side of piston 43 in cylinder 44, and venting the right side of piston 43 to atmosphere via duct 42.

Fluid also passes from duct 72 via ducts 75 and 77 to the underside of piston 66, fluid being admitted to chamber 66a above piston 66 via duct 65 from chamber 64a and duct 63. When pressure in duct 77 exceeds that in duct 65, piston 66 will be unseated, permitting a small quantity of fluid from duct 77 to exhaust through port 78. When the fluid pressure in duct 75 above piston 76 exceeds that in fluid inlet duct 1, it causes piston 76 to seat and piston 79 to unseat, closing exhaust port 80 and providing communication between fluid inlet 79 and passage 81. Fluid admitted from duct 81 to the rear of piston 82 unseats piston 64 permitting fluid in ducts 61, 63 and 65 to exhaust through port 73. With the consequent reduction in fluid pressure above piston 62, fluid pressure in inlet duct 2 causes piston 67 to seat, closing communication between fluid inlet duct 2 and ducts 69, 72, 75, and 77, and unseats piston 62, causing these ducts to vent to atmosphere through exhaust port 68. When, due to this venting of duct 75, fluid pressure behind piston 76 decreases below that in duct 1, behind piston 79, the latter will be seated, closing communication between inlet 1 and duct 81, and piston 76 will be unseated, venting duct 81 to the atmosphere through exhaust port 80, thus permitting piston 64 to return to its seat. The cycle of operation of the two pneumatic cylinders 26 and 44 will thus be terminated, with pistons 25 and 27 returned to their initial positions as shown in FIG. 1. For initiating a new cycle, lever 7 must again be actuated.

The operational sequence of the device illustrated in FIGS. 1-8 is as follows: A continuous stream of fluid under pressure is supplied to the device through duct 1 to piston 79, through duct 2 to piston 67, through duct 3 to piston 50, through duct 4 to piston 32, through duct 5 to piston 17, and continuing on to piston 9 through duct 6. After the above operation is complete, the cycle is capable of being actuated.

The cycle is actuated by pressing lever 7, which moves piston 8 down to close the exhaust port 10 and pushes piston 9 ofl its seat to allow fluid from duct 6 to pass around piston 9 and into duct 11. The force of fluid in duct 11 lifts piston 12 oft its seat and allows the fluid to flow into duct 13 and continue around piston 14 into duct 15 to piston 16, When the pressure of fluid in duct 15 is great enough to overcome the pressure of fluid in duct 5 under piston 17, piston 14 is pushed down to close the exhaust port 18 and piston 17 is pushed off its seat to allow fluid to pass from duct 5 into duct 19. Fluid flows through duct 19 to and around needle valve 20 into duct 21 to actuate piston 22 in valve 23 to release fluid from the supply to pass into duct 24 to actuate piston 25 in cylinder 26. When the fluid passing through needle valve 20, which is adjustable to permit the delay wanted between series operation, from duct 19, builds up enough pressure to lift piston 27 off its seat the fluid will flow into duct 28 to piston 29 and to piston 31 through duct 30. When the pressure of fluid in duct 30 over piston 29 is great enough to overcome the pressure of fluid in duct 4 under piston 32, piston 29 is pushed down closing the exhaust port 33 and pushing piston 32 off its seat to allow fluid to pass from duct 4 into ducts 34 and 37. Fluid flows through duct 34 to lift piston 35 which pushes piston 16 off its seat, allowing the fluid trapped in ducts 13 and 15 to exhaust through the exhaust port 36. When this fluid has been exhausted, the fluid in duct 5 forces piston 17 to lift to closed position, stopping the fluid flow to duct 19, and forces piston 14 to lift oif its seat thus opening exhaust port 18 and allowing fluid in ducts 19 and 21 to exhaust to atmosphere. As this exhausting process is taking place, fluid is flowing through duct 37 to and around needle valve 38 to duct 39 to actuate piston 40 in valve 41, which releases fluid from the supply to pass int-o duct 42 to actuate piston 43 in cylinder 44. When fluid passing from duct 37 through needle valve 38, which is adjustable to permit the delay wanted between series operation, builds up enough pressure to lift piston 45 off its seat, the fluid will flow into duct 46 to piston 47 and to piston 49 through duct 48. When the pressure of fluid in duct 46 over piston 47 is great enough to overcome the pressure of fluid in duct 3 under piston 50, piston 47 is pushed down to close the exhaust port 51 and piston 50 is pushed off its seat to allow fluid to pass from duct 3 into ducts 52 and 55. Fluid flows through duct 52 to lift piston 53, which pushes piston 31 off its seat allowing the fluid trapped in ducts 28 and 31} to exhaust through exhaust port 54. When this fluid has been exhausted, fluid in duct 4 forces piston 32 to lift to closed position and piston 29 to lift oif its seat, thus opening exhaust port 33 and allowing fluid in ducts 34, 37 and 39 to exhaust to atmosphere through exhaust 33, and piston 16 to return to its seat. As this exhausting process is taking place, fluid is flowing through duct 55 to and around needle valve 56 into duct 57 to actuate piston 58 in valve 23 which allows fluid trapped in front of piston 25 in cylinder 26 to exhaust and fluid to flow to the back of piston 25 in cylinder 26 through duct 59. When fluid passing from duct 55 through needle valve 56 which is adjustable to permit the delay wanted between series operation, builds up enough pressure to lift piston 60 off its seat, the fluid will flow into duct 61 to piston 62 and to piston 64 through duct 63 and to piston 66 through duct 65. When the pressure of fluid in duct 61 over piston 62 is great enough to overcome the pressure of fluid in duct 2 under piston 67, piston 62 is pushed down to close the exhaust port 68 and piston 67 is pushed off its seat to allow air to pass from duct 2 into ducts 69 and 72. Fluid flows through duct 69 to lift piston 70, which pushes piston 49 off its seat allowing fluid trapped in ducts 46 and 48 to exhaust through exhaust port 71. When this fluid has been exhausted, fluid in duct 3 forces piston 50 to lift to closed position and piston 47 to lift otf its seat thus opening exhaust port 51 and allowing fluid in ducts 52, 55 and 57 to exhaust to atmosphere through exhaust port 51 and piston 31 to return to its seat. As this exhausting process is taking place, fluid is flowing through duct 72 to actuate piston 73 in valve 41, which allows fluid trapped in front of piston 43 in cylinder 44 to exhaust and fluid to fl-ow to the back of piston 43 in cylinder 44 through duct 74, Then fluid passing from duct 72 also goes to the top of piston 76 through duct 75 and through duct 77 to the bottom of piston 66. When the pressure in duct 77 becomes greater than the pressure in duct 65, piston 66 will lift off its seat and allow a small amount of fluid to exhaust through exhaust port 78 from duct 77 When the pressure of fluid in duct 75 over piston 76 is great enough to overcome the pressure of fluid in duct 1, under piston 79, piston 76 is pushed down to close the exhaust port 80 and piston 79 is pushed off its seat to allow fluid to pass from duct 1 into duct 81. Fluid flows through duct 81 to lift piston 82, which pushes piston 64 off its seat allowing fluid trapped in ducts 61, 63 and 65 to exhaust through the exhaust port 83. When this fluid has been exhausted, fluid in duct 2 forces piston 67 to lift to closed position and piston 62 to lift off its seat thus opening the exhaust port 68 and allowing fluid in ducts 69, 72, 75 and 77 to exhaust to atmosphere through exhaust port 68 and piston 49 to return to its seat. During this exhausting process, the fluid on top of piston 76 has been exhausted allowing the fluid in duct 1 to force piston 79 up to closed position to allow fluid trapped in duct 81 to exhaust through exhaust port 80 and piston 64 to return to its seat. Lever 7 can now be actuated to initiate a new cycle as described above.

In the embodiment of the invention schematically illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 means are provided for manually stopping the cycle at any desired point of its duration. For this purpose, in addition tothe structure described hereinbefore and illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, a duct 84 connects fluid inlet duct 6 and the bottom of piston 87, of a manually operated exhaust and inlet valve device similar to that illustrated in FIG. 2, inlet duct 84, lever 85, pistons 86 and 87, exhaust port 88, and outlet duct 89 corresponding respectively to inlet duct 6, lever 7, pistons 8 and 9, exhaust port 10 and outlet duct 11 of FIG. 2. Outlet duct 87 communicates with pistons 90, 92, 94 and 96 positioned in chambers 35a, 53a, 70a and 82a below pistons 35, 53, 70 and 82, respectively, so that, by actuating lever 85 to unseat piston 87 and seat piston 86, fluid will be admitted from duct 84 to duct 89 to force pistons 90, 92, 94 and 96 upwardly. This in turn will cause pistons 35, 53, 70 and 82 to move upwardly, moving pistons 16, 31, 49 and 64 to their upper unseated positions and thus venting the system to atmosphere and terminating the cycle.

Operation of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 is the same as that of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, except that the cycle can be stopped at any point of its duration by manually actuating lever 85, which moves piston 86 down to close the exhaust port 88 and pushes piston 87 off its seat, to allow fluid from duct 7 to pass around piston 87 and into duct 89. The fluid in duct 89 flows through ducts 91, 93 and 95 which lifts pistons 90, 92, 94 and 96. When piston 90 is forced upward it pushes piston 17 off its seat and allows any fluid in ducts 14 and 16 to exhaust to the atmosphere through exhaust port 37 and piston 18 to return to closed position which stops the flow of fluid from duct 5. As piston 18 is being returned, piston lifts off its seat and allows fluid in ducts 20 and 22 to be exhausted to the atmosphere, through exhaust port 19. The pressure of fluid in duct 91 lifts piston 92, which forces piston 32 off its seat to allow any fluid in ducts 29 and 31 to exhaust through exhaust port 55. When fluid pressure on top of piston 30 is relieved, piston 33 will return to closed position, thus lifting piston 38 and shutting off the flow of fluid from duct 4. Thus, the fluid in ducts 35, 38 and 40 will be exhausted to the atmosphere through exhaust port 34. Fluid pressure in duct 93 forces piston 94 upward, which forces piston 50 off its seat. This allows any fluid in ducts 47 and 49 to exhaust through exhaust port 72. When pressure is relieved from the top of piston 48, piston 51 rises to closed position thus shuttlng ofi? the flow of fluid from duct 3 and lifting piston 48 off its seat to allow any fluid in ducts 53, 56 and 58 to exhaust to the atmosphere through exhaust port 52. Fluid pressure in duct 95 forces piston 96 upward, which forces piston 65 to lift off its seat. This allows any fluid in ducts 62, 64 and 66 to exhaust port 84. When pressure is relieved from the top top of piston 63, piston 63 rises to closed position, thus shutting off the flow of fluid from duct 2 and lifting piston 63 off its seat allowing any fluid in ducts 70, 73, 76 and 78 to exhaust to the atmosphere through exhaust port 69. During this exhausting process, fluid on top of piston 77 has been exhausted allowing fluid in duct 1 to force piston 80 up to closed position to allow fluid trapped in duct 82 to exhaust through exhaust port 81. When lever 85 has been released, fluid in ducts 89, 91, 93 and is exhausted through exhaust port 88. The exhausting of this fluid allows pistons 17, 32, 50 and 65 to return to their closed positions.

The reactivation of the cycle, once it has been stopped, is accomplished by manually activating lever 8. The cycle will complete itself preparatory to going into semiautomatic operation.

The embodiment of the invention schematically illustrated in FIG. 11 includes means for automatically reinitiating the cycle if desired, as well as means for stopping a cycle at any time during its course. In this embodiment the cycle-stopping means comprises lever 85, pistons 86 and 87 controlled thereby, and pistons 98, 92, 94 and 96, as in the second embodiment. Lever-controlled cycleinitiating pistons 8 and 9 are connected by outlet duct 11 to piston 97, similar in construction to pistons 12 and 27, so that when lever 7 is depressed, fluid from inlet 6 unseats piston 97, and passes around it. A duct 98 connects the upper side of piston 97 to chamber 12a (FIG. 3) above piston 12, so as to communicate directly with duct 13, and initiate the cycle by forcing pistons 14 and 17 downwardly, as described hereinbefore. Chamber 12a communicates directly with needle valve 110, through its lower end, and duct 109 connects piston 79 to needle valve so that as the cycle approaches its end with the opening of valve 79, fluid from inlet duct passes through duct 109 to needle valve 110. If it is desired to have the cycle reinitiated automatically, needle valve 110 is open, its setting regulating the spacing between the cycles. If automatic reinitiation of the cycle is not desired, needle valve 110 is closed so that the operation will terminate at the end of each cycle, requiring manual reinitiation.

Valve 17 is connected by duct 99 with piston (similar to pistons 35, 53, 70 and 82) which control piston 101 (similar to pistons 16, 31, 49 and 64) and exhaust port 103 (similar to exhaust ports 36, 54, 71 and 83) for the purpose of exhausting ducts 72a, 75 and 77 and thus automatically ending a cycle by seating piston 79 and unseating piston 76 when the new cycle is initiated by seating of piston 14 and unseating of piston 17. For adjustably exhausting the fluid from duct 75, and thus further regulating the action of pistons 76 and 79, a duct 182 leads from duct 75 through needle valve 107 to exhaust port 108.

The operational sequence of the device illustrated in FIG. 11 is as follows: A continuous stream of fluid under pressure is supplied to the device through ducts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 84 and 6 to pistons 79, 67, 50, 32, 17, 87 and 9. After the above operation is complete, the cycle is capable of being actuated.

The cycle is actuated by pressing lever 7, which moves piston 8 down to close the exhaust port 10 and pushes piston 9 off its seat to allow fluid from duct 7 to pass around piston 8 and into duct 11. The force of fluid in duct 11 lifts piston 97 off its seat and allows fluid to flow into duct 98 and continue around piston 12 into duct 13 to piston 14 and to piston 16 through duct 15. When the 7 pressure of fluid in duct 13 is great enough to overcome Fluid flows through duct 99 to lift piston 100, which pushes piston 101 off its seat allowing any fluid trapped in ducts 77, 75 and 102 to exhaust through exhaust port 103. While this exhausting process is taking place, fluid is flowing through duct 19 to and around needle valve 20 into duct 21 to actuate piston 22 in valve 23 to release fluid from the supply to pass into duct 24 to actuate piston 25 in cylinder 26. When the fluid passing through needle valve 20, which is adjustable to permit the delay wanted between series operation, from duct 19 builds up enough pressure to lift piston 27 off its seat the fluid will flow into duct 28 to piston 29 and to piston 31 through duct 30. When the pressure of fluid in duct 28 over piston 29 is great enough to overcome the pressure of fluid in duct 4 under piston 32, piston 29 is pushed down closing the exhaust port 33 and pushes piston 32 off its seat to allow fluid to pass from duct 4 into ducts 34 and 37. Fluid flows through duct 34 to lift piston 35 which pushes piston 16 off its seat allowing fluid trapped in ducts 13 and 15 to escape through exhaust port 36. When this fluid has been exhausted, fluid in duct forces piston 17 to lift to closed position stopping fluid flow to ducts 99 and 19, and forces piston 14 to lift off its seat thus opening exhaust port 18 and allowing fluid in ducts 99, 19 and 21 to exhaust to atmosphere and piston 101 to return to its seat. As this exhausting process is taking place, fluid is flowing through duct 37 to and around needle valve 38 to duct 39 to actuate piston 40 in valve 41 which releases fluid from the supply to pass into duct 42 to actuate piston 43 in cylinder 44. When fluid passing from duct 37 through needle valve 38, which is adjustable to permit the delay wanted between series operation, builds up enough pressure to lift piston 45 off its seat, fluid will flow into duct 46 to piston 47 and to piston 49 through duct 48. When the pressure of fluid in duct 46 over piston 47 is great enough to overcome the pressure of fluid in duct 3 under piston 50, piston 47 is pushed down to close exhaust port 51 and and piston 50 is pushed off its seat'to allow fluid to pass from duct 3 into ducts 52 and 55. Fluid flows through duct 52 to lift piston 53 which pushes piston 31 off its seat allowing fluid trapped in ducts 28 and 30 to exhaust through exhaust port 54. When this fluid has been exhausted, fluid in duct 4 forces piston 32 to lift to closed position and piston 29 to lift off its seat thus opening exhaust port 33 and allowing fluid in ducts 34, 37 and 39 to exhaust to atmosphere through exhaust port 33, and piston 16 to return to its seat. As this exhausting process is taking place, fluid is flowing through duct 55 to and around needle valve 56 in duct 57 to actuate piston 58 in valve 23 which allows fluid trapped in front of piston 25 in cylinder 26 to exhaust and fluid to flow to the back of piston 25 in cylinder 26 through duct 59. When fluid passing from duct 55 through needle valve 56, which is adjustable to permit the delay wanted between series operation, builds up enough pressure to lift piston 60 off its seat, fluid Will flow into duct 61 to piston 62 and to piston 64 through duct 63. When the pressure of fluid in duct 61 over piston 62 is great enough to overcome the pressure of fluid in duct 2 under piston 67, piston 62 is pushed down to close exhaust port 68 and piston 67 is pushed off its seat to allow fluid to pass from duct 2 into ducts 69 and 72. Fluid flows through duct 69 to lift piston 73, which pushes piston 49 off its seat allowing fluid trapped in ducts 46 and 48 to exhaust through exhaust port 71. When this fluid has been exhausted, fluid in duct 3 forces piston 50 to lift to closed position and piston 47 to lift off its seat thus opening exhaust port 51 and allowing fluid in ducts 52, 55 and 57 to exhaust to atmosphere through exhaust port 51, and piston 31 to return to its seat. As this exhausting process is taking place, fluid is flowing through duct 72 to and around needle valve 105 into duct 106 to actuate piston 73 in valve 41, which allows fluid trapped in front of piston 43 in cylinder 44 to exhaust and fluid to flow to the back of piston 43 in cylinder 44 through duct 74. When fluid passing from duct 72 through needle valve 105, which is adjustable to permit the delay wanted between series operation, builds up enough pressure to lift piston 106 off its seat, fluid will flow into duct 75 to piston 76 and to piston 101 through duct '77 and through duct 102 to needle valve 107 which allows the fluid to be adjustably exhausted through duct 108. When the pressure of fluid in duct 75 over piston 76 is great enough to overcome the pressure of fluid in duct 1 under piston 79, piston 76 is pushed down to close exhaust port 80 and piston 79 is pushed off its seat to allow fluid to pass from duct 1 into ducts 81 and 109. Fluid flows through duct 81 to lift piston 82, which pushes piston 64 oif its seat allowing fluid trapped in ducts 61 and 63 to exhaust through exhaust port 83. When this fluid has been exhausted, fluid in duct 2 forces piston 67 to lift to closed position and piston 62 to lift off its seat thus opening exhaust port 68 and allowing fluid in ducts 69, 72 and 72a to exhaust to atmosphere through exhaust port 68 and piston 49 to return to its seat. As this exhausting process is taking place, fluid is flowing through duct 109 to needle valve 110. If the cycle is being used in its semiautomatic condition the needle valve 110 will be completely closed, thus trapping fluid in duct 109 until it is'exhausted in the next manually actuated start of the cycle. However, if the cycle is being used in its automatic condition, fluid in duct 109 will pass through needle valve 110, which is adjustable to permit the delay Wanted between cycle operation, when it has built up a sufficient amount of pressure to lift piston 12 off its seat and allow fluid to flow through duct 13 to piston 14 to initiate a new cycle as described above.

The cycle can be stopped at any point of its duration by manually actuating lever 85, which moves piston 86 down to close exhaust port 88 and pushes piston 87 off its seat, to allow fluid from duct 84 to pass around piston 87 and into duct 89. Fluid in duct 89 flows through ducts 91, 93, 95 and 111 which lifts pistons 90, 92, 94, 96 and 112. When piston 90 is -forced upward it pushes piston 16 off its seat and allows any fluid in ducts 13 and 15 to exhaust to'atmosphere through exhaust port 36 and piston 17 to return to closed position which stops the flow of fluid from duct 5. As piston 17 is being returned, piston 14 lifts off its seat and allows fluid in ducts 99, 19 and 21 to be exhausted to atmosphere through exhaust port 18. The pressure of fluid in duct 91 lifts piston 92, which forces piston 35 off its seat to allow any fluid in ducts 28 and 30 to exhaust through exhaust port 54. When fluid pressure on top of piston 29 is relieved, piston 32 will return to closed position, thus lifting piston 29 and shutting off the flow of fluid from duct 4. Thus the fluid in ducts 34, 37 and 39 will be exhausted to the atmosphere through exhaust port 33. Fluid pressure in duct 93 forces piston 94 upward, which forces piston 70 to lift off its seat. This allows any fluid in ducts 46 and 48 to exhaust through exhaust port 71. When pressure is relieved from the top of piston 47, piston 50 rises to closed position thus shutting ofl the flow of fluid from duct 3 and lifting piston 47 ofl its seat to allow any fluid in ducts 52, 55 and 57 to exhaust to atmosphere through exhaust port 51. Fluid pressure in duct 95 forces piston 96 upward, which forces piston 64 to lift off its seat. This allows any fluid in ducts 61 and 63 to exhaust through exhaust port 83. When pressure is relieved from the top of piston 62, piston 67 rises to closed position, thus shutting off the flow of fluid from duct 2 and lifting piston 62 off its seat allowing any fluid in ducts 69, 72 and 72a to be exhausted through exhaust port 68.

Fluid pressure in duct 111 forces piston 112 upward and pushes piston 100 off its seat which allows any fluid in ducts 77, 75 and 102 to exhaust through exhaust port 103. When pressure is relieved from the top of piston 76, piston 79 rises to closed position, thus shutting off the flow of fluid from duct 1 and lifting piston 76 off its seat allowing any fluid in ducts 81 and 109 to be exhausted through 75 exhaust port 80.,

The reactivation of the cycle, once it has been stopped, is accomplished by manually activating lever 7. The cycle will complete itself preparatory to going into automatic or semi-automatic operation.

The exclusive use of modifications coming within the scope ot the appended claims is contemplated.

What is claimed is:

1. A fluid-operated timing device comprising initial and succeeding means for supplying fluid under pressure in sequence to a number of outlets, means responsive to the admission of fluid to each said succeeding supply means for interrupting in sequence the flow of said fluid through the preceding supply means, and means for individually controlling the time at which said fluid is supplied and interrupted to the various outlets in sequence.

2. A fluid-operated timing device comprising a plurality of outlets, means for supplying fluid pressure to each outlet in succession, adjustable metering means for each outlet for controlling the duration of the supply of fluid pressure to each outlet and the time delay from the inception of fluid supply to one outlet to the inception of fluid supply to the next outlet and means responsive to the admission of fluid to succeeding supply means for interrupting the flow of fluid through the preceding supply means.

3. A fluid-operated timing device comprising a plurality of outlets for attachment to fluid pressure sensitive devices, means for supplying fluid pressure successively to said outlets, additional means for controlling the time at which each said supply means supplies each said outlet with fluid relative to the time the preceding supply means supplied fluid to the outlet immediately preceding it in said sequence, said additional means being adjustable to provide selected delays between the time fluid is supplied to any outlet and the time it is supplied to the outlet immediately following it, and further means responsive to the admission of fluid to each succeeding supply means for successively stopping the flow of said fluid through the preceding supply means to its outlet.

4. A fluid-operated timing device having an initial pressure responsive valve and a series of like valves, means for inducing said initial valve to supply fluid under pressure, means for controlling, by metering, the volume of said fluid supply from said initial valve to the second valve in said series, thereby controlling the time delay between the time said initial valve supplies fluid and the time said second valve supplies fluid, a series of like controlling means for individually controlling in a like manner the time at which each succeeding valve supplies fluid relative to the time that the valve immediately preceding it supplied fluid and means responsive to the opening of each said like valve for stopping the flow of fluid through the preceding valve.

5. A fluid-operated timing device having an initial pressure responsive valve and a series of like valves, a source of fluid under pressure communicating with said valves, means for inducing said initial valve to supply fluid pressure, means for controlling, by metering, the volume of fluid supply from said initial valve to the second valve in said series, thereby controlling the time interval between the time said initial valve supplies fluid and the time said :second valve supplies fluid, .a series of like controlling means for individually controlling the time at which each succeeding valve supplies fluid relative to the time that the valve immediately preceding it supplied fluid, and means responsive to the opening of each said like valve for stopping the flow of said fluid through the preceding valve, and similar control means for controlling the time delay between the time said initial valve again supplies fluid relative to the time the last valve in said series supplied fluid, whereby to provide automatic repetition of the cycle.

6. A fluid-operated timing device comprising a plurality of outlets, separate means for successively supplying fluid to each of said outlets, adjustable metering means controlling said second and each succeeding supply means to regulate the duration of the supply of fluid to each outlet and the time interval between the inception of supply of fluid to the successive outlets, and means responsive to the admission of fluid to each successive supply means for stopping the flow of fluid through the preceding supply means.

7. A fluid-operated timing device according to claim 6 in which each said supply means comprises a source of fluid under pressure, a supply valve between said source and each of said outlets and normally biased to closed position, and first means responsive to fluid pressure for opening each said supply valve.

8. A fluid-operated timing device according to claim 7, including manually operable means for controlling the admission of fluid to said first pressure responsive means controlling the first of said supply valves.

9. A fluid-operated timing device according to claim 8 in which said metering means associated with each said fluid supply means controls the passage of fluid to said first pressure responsive valve-opening means of the succeeding fluid supply means.

19. A fluid-operated timing device according to claim 9 in which said flow-stopping means comprises normally closed atmospheric vent valves each communicating with one of said first pressure responsive means, and second pressure responsive means for opening each said vent valve when fluid pressure on each said second pressure responsive means reaches a predetermined value and thereby exhaust air from each said first pressure responsive means to permit each said supply valve to return to its normally closed lposition.

11. A fluid-operated timing device according to claim 10 including an exhaust valve operably connected to each said supply valve and open when the associated supply valve is closed and closed when the associated supply valve is open whereby to vent the outlet controlled by the associated supply valve to atmosphere when the associate supply valve is closed.

12. A fluid-operated timing device according to claim 10 wherein each said supply valve except the last has a discharge port communicating with the metering device of its successor.

13. A fluid-operated timing device according to claim 10 wherein each said supply valve except the first has a discharge port communicating with the second pressure-responsive means of its predecessor whereby to vent the first pressure-responsive means of its predecessor to atmosphere and thereby effect closing of its predecessor.

14. A fluid-operated timing device according to claim 13 wherein each said supply valve except the last has another discharge port communicating with the metering device of its successor for passing fluid to the first pressure-responsive means of its successor.

15. A fluid-operated timing device according to claim 14 including an exhaust valve operably connected to each said supply valve and open and closed respectively when said supply valve is closed and open, for venting said discharge ports, the metering device of the successor of each of said supply valves other than the last, and the second pressure-responsive means of the predecessor of each said supply valves other than the first to atmosphere.

16. A fluid-operated timing device according to claim 10 including manually operable means for simultaneously opening all said atmospheric vent valves and thereby interrupting operation of the device.

17. A fluid-operated timing device according to claim 16 in which said last-named manually operable means comprises additional pressure-responsive means operatively connected to said vent valves and a manually operable normally closed valve between said fluid pressure sources and said pressure-responsive means.

13. A fluid-operated timing device according to claim 17 in which said last-named manually operable means also includes an exhaust valve operably connected to said manually operable normally closed valve to be open and closed respectively when said normally closed valve is closed and open whereby normally to vent said fluid pressure source to atmosphere and render said additional pressure-responsive means inoperable.

19. A fluid-operated timing device according to claim 10 in which the metering means associated with each fluid supply means from the second to the last receives fluid from the valve of the preceding fluid supply means, and the first fluid supply means has metering means adapted to transmit fluid under pressure from the valve of the last fluid supply means to the first pressure-responsive valve-opening means of the first fluid supply means for automatically reinitiating the cycle.

20. A fluid-operated timing device according to claim 16, in which the metering means associated with each fluid supply means from the second to the last communicates with .a discharge port of the valve of the preceding fluid supply means and the first fluid supply means includes metering means adapted to transmit fluid under pressure from the supply valve of the last fluid supply means to the first pressure-responsive valve opening means of the first fluid supply means for automatically reinitiating the cycle.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,068,102 1/1937 Gaines 137624.14 X 2,395,150 2/1946 SlOan 137119 2,500,933 3/1950 Dailey 9336 2,825,923 3/1958 De Mart l37624.14 X

ALAN COHAN, Primary Examiner. 

1. A FLUID-OPERATED TIMING DEVICE COMPRISING INITIAL AND SUCCEEDING MEANS FOR SUPPLYING FLUID UNDER PRESSURE IN SEQUENCE TO A NUMBER OF OUTLETS, MEANS RESPONSIVE TO THE ADMISSION OF FLUID TO EACH SAID SUCCEEDING SUPPLY MEANS FOR INTERRUPTING IN SEQUENCE THE FLOW OF SAID FLUID 